In War And Peace: My Life In Science And Technology

In War And Peace: My Life In Science And Technology
by Guy Stever

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About Book

The Gazette, December 25, 2002
"Guy Stever gives news meaning to 'been there, done that.'"

Science News, January 18, 2002
"...an intimate look at a man who helped shape scientific policy for the better part of the 20th century."

Presidents' Club Newsletter, Colgate University, January 17, 2003
"...conversational style, personal warmth, and in-depth history... Like Guy Stever, readers will be satisfied. And mighty impressed."

Book Description
From the wreckage of wartime London to the halls of power at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Guy Stever devoted his life to the pure and unselfish pursuit of science. Past president of Carnegie Mellon University, former Chief Scientist of the U.S. Air Force, one-time Director of the National Science Foundation, member of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, science advisor to two presidents... Guy Stever was a central figure in twentieth century science -- consistently on the front lines, changing the fate of a nation.

In this thoughtful and candid memoir, Stever recounts an extraordinary career that reveals as much about the man as about the major scientific and technological events of his day. Born of humble origins and orphaned at an early age, Stever journeyed from a small town in New York to work alongside British comrades who were developing and refining the critical radar technology that was to turn the tide of the war against the Germans. As a technical intelligence officer, these harrowing wartime years took him from the beachheads of Normandy to the German slave-labor factories responsible for building the V-2 rockets.

Intimately involved in America's nascent guided missile program and a key player in the anti-ballistic missile defense program that heralded the era of the Cold War, Stever exerted lasting influence on countless scientific endeavors. He was instrumental in the formation of new institutions, from the creation of NASA to the merging of Carnegie Tech and the Mellon Institution, giving birth to Carnegie Mellon University. He was also Presidential Science Advisor to both Nixon and Ford, ultimately responsible for shaping the very structure of contemporary presidential science advising.

Guy Stever's life offers remarkable insight into the twentieth century. Through his eyes, we relive the history of the past 50 years, witnesses to a tale of science and technology that is revealing in its scope and sweep.

Book Info
(Joseph Henry Press) In this thoughtful and candid memoir, Stever recounts an extraordinary life that reveals as much about the man as about the major scientific and technological events of his day. He offers remarkable insight into the 20th century, reliving the history of the past 50 years, witnesses to a tale of science and technology.

From the Inside Flap
"There is an undeniable bond between science and government in our nation. Guy Stever's memoir shows us how both endeavors have become stronger and more effective through the advisory role he helped define. I count myself as fortunate to have had someone as remarkably wise, talented, and well informed on presidential science issues as Guy to advise me during my years in the White House."
-- President Gerald R. Ford

"It is no accident that Guy Stever's personal memoir of his career as a scientist and engineer is also a chronicle of the ascendancy of the United States to a world leadership position in science and technology over the past 50 years. Stever was a central figure in the three institutions that made this happen: the research university, industry, and government. However, this book, one of the best of its genre, is more than an insider's view of important people, events, and organizations. It is an engrossing story of growing up in a golden age of science by one of America’s most admired scientists."
-- Frank Press, President emeritus, U.S. National Academy of Sciences

"This is a wonderful book written by a uniquely qualified author. Throughout the book, Stever's personal charm and his direct yet diplomatic approach to both problems and challenges, come through very clearly, as do his intrinsic honesty and integrity. He has served his country long and with distinction."
-- D. Allan Bromley, former Dean of Engineering, Yale University

"Guy Stever's mastery of the art of science advising is on display here. As he counsels, 'the best science and technology, expressed as forcefully as possible and fitted honestly to the audience.' Potential advisers and advisees as well as anyone interested in science policy should read this book."
-- George P. Shultz, Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow, Hoover Institution and Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

"This is a highly personalized and entertaining account of scientists on the front lines. Guy Stever was instrumental in developing the institutions and relationships that have come to define America as a force in science and engineering."
-- Sheila Widnall, Institute Professor and Prof. of Aeronautic and Astronautics, MIT and Vice President, NAE

About the Author
Guy Stever was born in Corning, New York, in 1916. Intrigued by science as a youth, he went on to receive his Ph.D. in Physics from the California Institute of Technology. He was elected to the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering for his work and has been a key player in science and engineering for five decades. He and his wife Louise live in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

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